Fatguywithamullet:
I respect your the thesis of your argument: "The problem that I have - whether it's this discussion or in the "Moneyball" debate - is the fact that some people place too much emphasis on statistical evaluation" but I think you have the wrong perception when you say "Billy Beane downplayed the role of traditional old-school scouts and even of the manager. So I'm sure he would not value the contribution of a player who has come into the clubhouse and created energy and given the team a spark. Certainly not. There's no stat to put on that in his mind." I simply feel that Beane concentrated more on other aspects of baseball such as statistics rather than "downplaying" the roles you speak of. Of course, when you invest your $ and time in something other than traditional ways you sacrifice, to certain degree, an aspect of that traditional value. But I would say he took advantage of a perception of baseball that few had rather than discredited and institution. His success can be attributed not only to his "new age" approach but also to taking an angle on the game that preyed on teams who would take the more traditional approach. Problem is when it comes down to an all out 5-7 game series the long-term approach of Beane Ball doesn't work and Beane should pay close attention to that stat
I also respect Beane's viewpoint that investing heavily in scouting might not be the best way to go. If you could look at composite statistics of every starting pitcher who scouts said would be great compared to how their careers actually went I think you'd find that there isn't a high degree of accuracy. Hitting is more predictable but, the predictability of good pitching gives Beane's agruement worth.
Hitting wise I think we all could see with the recent Boston series Eric Chavez and a bunch of OBP guys can't get it done vs. Top Tier starting pitching.
You shouldn't leave this board. How else are people going hear your viewpoints. Many of these people here are highly educated in baseball(maybe not politics w
)...I recently went back and read some posts of members who have been around a while. After doing so I elected to put that little "L" thingy by my name. I thought just because I won my first FBL ever, am currently in 1st in three in four competitive leagues, second in the fourth and followed baseball for the last 23 years I'd be at least varsity with guys who had only been on site created in '03. Nope. JV at best. I've got plenty to learn.
My point is, it would be ignorant of you to leave. There no way you couldn't learn to appreciate at least something that the more experienced members of this site have to say.
Anyway there's my pitch. Personally, I like your stimulating comments and opinions.
Wisdom can give you direction, emotion gets you there. - Jim Rohn
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by Tavish » Sat Sep 11, 2004 1:03 pm 
